The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge eBook

Tree’), by the great Eo Dond, by Meide in Togmaill
(’Ferret’s Neck’), by Meide in Eoin,
(’Bird’s Neck’), by Baille (’the
Town’), by Aile, by Dall Scena, by Ball Scena,
by Ross Mor (’Great Point’), by Scuap
(’the Broom’), by Imscuap, by Cenn Ferna,
by Anmag, by Fid Mor (’Great Wood’) in
Crannach of Cualnge, [3]by Colbtha, by Crond in Cualnge,[3]
by Druim Cain on the road to Midluachar, [4]from Finnabair
of Cualnge. It is at that point that the hosts
of Erin divided over the province in pursuit of the
bull. For it was by way of those places they
went until they reached Finnabair. Here endeth
the Title. The Story begineth in order.[4]

[3-3] Stowe and Add.

[4-4] LU. 87, Stowe and Add.

[5-5] LU. 96. and Stowe.

[6-6] Eg. 1782.

[7-7] Eg. 1782.

[8-8] LU. 113.

[9-9] LU. 116.

[1-1] LU. 119.

[2-2] LU. 121.

[3-3] LU. 146-148.

[4-4] LU. 149-161.

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[Page 21]

VI

THE MARCH OF THE HOST

[W.389.] On the first stage the hosts went [1]from
Cruachan,[1] they slept the night at Cul Silinne,
[2]where to-day is Cargin’s Lough.[2] And [3]in
that place[3] was fixed the tent of Ailill son of Ross,
[4]and the trappings were arranged, both bedding and
bed-clothes.[4] The tent of Fergus macRoig was on
his right hand; Cormac Conlongas, Conchobar’s
son, was beside him; Ith macEtgaith next to that;
Fiachu macFiraba, [5]the son of Conchobar’s
daughter,[5] at its side; [6]Conall Cernach at its
side,[6] Gobnenn macLurnig at the side of that.
The place of Ailill’s tent was on the right
on the march, and thirty hundred men of Ulster beside
him. And the thirty hundred men of Ulster on
his right hand had he to the end that the whispered
talk and conversation and the choice supplies of food
and of drink might be the nearer to them.

[1-1] Eg. 1782.

[2-2] Stowe.

[3-3] Translating from Stowe.

[4-4] LU. 156-157.

[5-5] LU. 160.

[6-6] Eg. 1782.

Medb of Cruachan, [7]daughter of Eocho Fedlech,[7]
moreover, was at Ailill’s left. Finnabair
(’Fairbrow’), [8]daughter of Ailill and
Medb,[8] at her side, [9]besides servants and henchmen.[9]
Next, Flidais Foltchain (’of the Lovely Hair’),
wife first of Ailill Finn (’the Fair’).
She took part in the Cow-spoil of Cualnge after she
had slept with Fergus; and she it was that every seventh
night brought sustenance [W.404.] in milk to the men
of Erin on the march, for king and queen and prince
and poet and pupil.

[7-7] LU. 160.

[8-8] LU. 161.

[9-9] Eg. 1782.

Medb remained in the rear of the host that day in
quest of tidings and augury [LL.fo.57a.] and knowledge.
[1]She called to her charioteer to get ready her nine
chariots for her,[1] [2]to make a circuit of the camp[2]
that she might learn who was loath and who eager to
take part in the hosting. [3]With nine chariots[a]
she was wont to travel, that the dust of the great
host might not soil her.[3] Medb suffered not her chariot
to be let down nor her horses unyoked until she had
made a circuit of the camp.